What an amazing November! We have enjoyed a busy season including American Education Week, The Jungle Book, International Night, The Turkey Trot, report cards and parent conferences to name a few. I wanted to say thank you to the many Elkridge families that have been able to join us. I know your children are especially appreciative of the time you take out of your routines to be a part of their school day.

I want to wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving break! We look forward to greeting our students Monday, November 27, for a full week of school!

Michael Caldwell, Principal

SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS SURVEY:

The Howard County Board of Education is seeking public input as it moves forward with the process of selecting a permanent superintendent, who will be appointed to a four-year term to commence on July 1, 2018. Community members are invited to submit desired leadership characteristics and priorities by completing a survey. The survey responses will be shared with the Board of Education and will inform the superintendent search process.

The online survey is available on the hcpss.org website. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S2Z5FXR. Electronic responses from the online survey will be collected through 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 22.

In May 2017, the Board appointed current Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano to a one-year term, which extends through June 30, 2018. The Board voted on August 17 to move forward with the process to select a permanent superintendent, and a public hearing was held September 28.

Please contact Leslie Gilbert at (410)313-6745 or leslie_gilbert@hcpss.org with any questions you may have regarding this request. Thank you for your support.

YOUNG AUTHOR’S CONTEST

Who: Students in Grades 2 – 5

What: Write a poem or short story

Entries must be original work.

All entries must use no smaller than 12 point font in Times New Roman or Comic Sans.

Short story entry may range from a minimum of 300 words to no more than 800 words. Poem entry will consist of a single poem, any style from a minimum of 25 words to no more than 150 words.

Entries must not include graphics.

Each entry must include a completed typed Young Authors' Contest Cover Sheet signed by the student author and sponsoring teacher.

Entries due by December 15, 2017.

DIGITAL RULES: Save the WORD document of your entry. Also save the typed cover sheet electronically. School winners will need to submit these to the county level contest.

Elkridge Elementary PTA

Holiday Shoppe

The EES Holiday Shoppe will be open once again on Friday, December 1st! Information should be coming home in folders this week. The children always LOVE this event so please consider helping out on our sign up genius. Grandparents, older students (middle and high) are welcome to be volunteers as well to help the kids shop! Here is the sign up genius link:

As a reminder, families can come to our school to shop for the holidays. The kids will have their own "shop" that they can buy items for their families and friends. There will also be places for the adults to shop as well! A full Scholastic Book Fair will be there as well as lots of local vendors selling crafts, jewelry, homemade items and many more! It is a super fun event that all enjoy!

Please note: The Holiday Shoppe gift envelopes that were sent home with students are not to be sent into school. These envelopes should be given to your student on the evening of the Holiday Shoppe.

PTA Meeting

The next monthly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 7 at 7:00PM. Please feel free to join us then.